Acceptability of self-conducted home-based HIV testing among men who have sex with men in Brazil: data from an on-line survey.

Sheri A Lippman,Beatriz Grinsztejn,Susan Buchbinder,Patrick S Sullivan,R Craig Sineath,Valdiléa G Veloso,André R S Périssé

doi:10.1590/0102-311x00008913

Abstract

The Brazilian HIV/AIDS epidemic is concentrated among men who have sex with men (MSM), however HIV testing rates among MSM are not commensurate with their risk. Strategies to expand early diagnosis may include use of self-conducted home-based testing kits, which are now available for purchase in the US. In April 2011 we conducted a survey with Brazilian MSM using Facebook to assess HIV testing preferences and acceptability of home-based testing. Among 356 previously tested, HIV-negative MSM, 47% reported a preference for home-based testing, 27% preferred clinic-based testing, and 26% had no preference. Less frequent testers and those who had considered testing but failed to test were more likely to prefer home-based testing. Close to 90% reported that they would use self-test kits; 62% and 54% said they would use home-based testing to make choices about unprotected sex with regular and new partners, respectively. Concerns included difficulty to understand the tests (32%) and receiving results alone (23%). Overall, home-based testing may appeal to MSM and result in increased testing frequency. Research on feasibility and utilization of self-tests in practice is needed.

Highlights

In Brazil, and throughout much of the Americas, the HIV epidemic is concentrated among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transsexual/ transgender populations 1
The Brazilian HIV/AIDS epidemic is concentrated among men who have sex with men (MSM), HIV testing rates among MSM are not commensurate with their risk
MSM are [20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30] times more likely to be living with HIV compared to the general population in Brazil, whose prevalence is stable around 0.4-0.6% 4,5

Summary

Introduction

In Brazil, and throughout much of the Americas, the HIV epidemic is concentrated among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transsexual/ transgender populations 1. MSM account for 29.2% of all AIDS cases reported in Brazil and about 40% of the cases among men aged [15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24] years 2. In Brazil, MSM have been the most heavily affected population throughout the epidemic, with prevalence as high as 13.6 and 14.2 in recent studies [3,4]. MSM are [20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30] times more likely to be living with HIV compared to the general population in Brazil, whose prevalence is stable around 0.4-0.6% 4,5. The epidemic in the MSM population is far from being curbed

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Conclusion